Pin Point Heritage Museum

"What’s this place all about? Pin Point Heritage Museum tells the remarkable story of its community: a small African American fishing village called Pin Point, established in the 1890s by people who had been enslaved on the nearby Sea Islands. The southeast coast from North Carolina to northern Florida is known as the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, referring to the descendants of enslaved people who’ve farmed and fished here for centuries, and whose language, food, and culture reflect the continued influence of West African traditions. Such influence continued through the 20th century at Pin Point, as residents wove sweetgrass baskets and harvested oysters, shrimp, and crabs from the fertile tidal marshes. Comprising four restored buildings, this small museum is located in the former A.S. Varn & Son Oyster and Crab Factory and affords breathtaking views of the salt marshes along the snaking Moon River. About 300 people still live in the community, which hosts a big seafood festival every fall. Another interesting fact: Pin Point is the birthplace of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. What will we see here? Freshly restored in 2011, the old factory buildings tell the story of the community from its beginnings to its near death in the 1980s, when the A.S. Varn company—the main source of local employment—shut down. Begin in the Picking & Cooling House (where women working for Varn used to pick up to 1,500 pounds of blue crab daily) with a viewing of the gorgeous, evocative short documentary “Take Me to the Water: The Story of Pin Point,” then wander through the other buildings to continue the story, as told by plaques, artifacts, and artworks. The Oyster Factory, for instance, touches upon oyster harvesting and shelling; the Crab Boiling Pavilion goes deep on the life cycle of the blue crab—a staple food out here—and the Deviled Crab House explores African-influenced cultural traditions, including the Gullah language. Exhibits, all of which are permanent, are elegantly presented and not overcrowded, and walking outside between buildings to get from one to another gives you a real sense of the factory's footprint. And the marsh itself couldn’t be more beautiful. What did you make of the crowd? About a 20-minute drive from downtown Savannah, the museum is far enough out that it doesn’t draw big crowds. In fact, it feels somewhat tucked away. You’ll come down a short, tree-lined driveway and park in a small lot. The quietness and relative remoteness suits it—all the better for hearing the breezes over the marsh. Any guided tours worth trying? You should just talk to the employees. They tend to be local residents of the Pin Point community, so they’re uniquely equipped to answer any questions about their history or culture. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The gift shop offers options you truly cannot get anywhere else: books on the history and culture of the Gullah-Geechee people, artwork by local artists, and braided sweetgrass baskets by local craftspeople. It’s small, but it's a vital part of the museum experience. Any other tips? It shouldn't take you more than an hour to get through the whole museum, introductory video included. If you're looking for other things to do while you're out this way, go back out onto Diamond Causeway and continue across the Moon River to Skidaway Island. The state park there offers miles of beautiful hiking trails; if you've started to fall in love with the salt marsh at Pin Point, here's where you can deepen your affection." - Sam Worley